Last Hurrah

Even though it was a little cold, really windy and incredibly rainy at times we still managed to have a ton of fun camping. This was the last trip of the year....now it's time to unpack the trailer, cover it up for the Winter and say goodbye to another camping season. *Sniff*

We sure did have some amazing times camping this Summer~SO blessed!!!

Caleb is already asking how many more 'sleeps' at home does he have to have before we go again. =)

Fun In The Dirt

We just got back from the dirtiest camping vacation ever....no wait that was 4 years ago when we were on the dirtiest site in Ludington State Park.  This year we were on the 2nd dirtiest....no jokes aside it was pretty bad.  Loose, black sand that at the beginning of the week just blew everywhere every time you took a step because it was so dry.  Then, the rain came....and it just stuck to every single thing.  Simply said....that makes for a TON more work upon getting home because everything needs a good scrubbing.  (Not just the children!!)

We did have a really good time.  Ludington is our favorite State Park to camp at.  We're never bored (okay, maybe for 5 minutes a day we sit down). Seriously though, we never run out of things to do here. We always seem to joke when we come home that we need a vacation from our vacation!

One of my favorite things I was able to do this time was get out and run a few times.  For anybody that's been to the State Park and done the Skyline trail you'll understand when I say running that thing kicked my butt!!  It was fun though to do some trail running ~ I enjoyed something new.

It was nice to be away, but I'll admit I was a bit homesick. My emotions were a tad out of sorts. I am thankful that this time I knew a little of what to expect, and how I'd be feeling on this camping trip. Keeping so busy was a good thing this time around for sure!

Looking forward to being back there this Fall!!

Conference Grounds Blessings

I am blessed to have grown up camping here.

I am blessed that God grew me over the six Summers I worked here.

I am blessed to be able to share this place with my family.

Fall Break

A few pictures from our camping trip to Ludington State Park....slide show with the rest of the pictures is in the works.  We had a really, really good time. Weather could have been better, but it could have also been worse. I stayed up 3 nights in a row until midnight or later (one night it was 1:30am) hanging out with friends around the campfire.  If you know anything about me at all you know that I am not a late night person. I think everyone was impressed I wasn't in bed at 10:00!  ;-)  I can't believe the camping season is done for the year, glad it ended on a good note unlike a few of our other trips this past Summer.

Cold enough for sleet



Bundled up on our walk



Caleb LOVED the leaves!!



Out for a hike



So much fun with friends

Great times!!!

Vacation Memories

A little vacation update...

We enjoyed our vacation at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds this past week.  We have had a rough Summer and this vacation was not without its trouble. Our trailer fridge quit working so we had to dump $75 worth of groceries not too long into the week.  Our friends came through for us and let us borrow their portable fridge otherwise our vacation would have ended before it really even began.  I got really sick the first day we were there, but after 3 or 4 days was feeling better.  Oh and did I mention the rain, and wind...and more rain?? 

Despite all of the challenges the week brought it was still a wonderful time at our favorite place.  We all left feeling refreshed and are so thankful for such an incredible place!!  I'm in the process of making a slide show of vacation pictures as well as sharing more thoughts on this amazing place.  Keep checking back for updates!

15 years ago we sat in this very spot on our 1st date.....look what happened!! =)

Ethan (10) Jackson (4) Lucas (8) Caleb (1) Wesley (6)

Wind and Waves at Lake Michigan

(be sure to click play to see the video)

The vacation that was not a vacation...

So, after being so excited for our 1st camping trip of the season we were all never so happy to be home. The weather was cool and rainy at times.  We easily could have been in jeans most days but instead opted for shorts w/sweatshirts...after all it is Summer!  If that was the only down side to our week away we could have dealt just fine with that!  However, on day 5 of our trip we left Platte River to head up to the Soo.  We stopped for gas and a bite to eat at Wendy's...BIG mistake.  Let's just say food poisoning in a 26 foot 'tin can' (our name for our trailer) was about the worst thing that could happen hours from home.  I will spare all the terrible details.

We did manage to take pictures of some happy memories that took place on a few of the days.